Adjustable footprint component removal tool

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for removing a friction-fitted, axially aligned electrical component from a printed circuit board, said apparatus comprising: a base; a component removal tool mounted on said base, said tool having a longitudinal axis substantially normal to said base and being mounted for reciprocal movement along said longitudinal axis; a first pair or legs mounted on said base and extending therefrom, said first pair of legs being fixed relative to said base; and a second pair of legs mounted with said base and extending therefrom, said second pair of legs being rotatably adjustable relative to said first pair of legs.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to repair devices and more particularly todevices for repairing component carrying printed circuit boards.

BACKGROUND ART

Printed circuit boards can carry a number of various electricalcomponents including some which can be characterized as being frictionfitted. These latter components, e.g., can include press-fit pins of thetype shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,759,721; and 4,701,140. Occasionally itis necessary to replace one or more of these pins because of damage. Atleast one tool, which comprises a driving member movable along alongitudinal axis, is known for this purpose; however, the tool isdifficult to hold and position and sometimes damages the printed circuitboard.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to obviate thedisadvantages of the prior art.

It is another object of the invention to enhance the removal andreplacement of press-fit pins in printed circuit boards.

The objects are accomplished, in one aspect of the invention, by theprovision of an apparatus for removing a press-fit, axially alignedelectrical component from a printed circuit board. The apparatuscomprises a base having a component removal tool mounted thereon. Thetool has a longitudinal axis which is substantially normal to the baseand is mounted for reciprocal movement along its longitudinal axis.

The base contains two pairs of legs, one pair of which is fixed and theother being rotatably adjustable.

The adjustable legs, in combination with the fixed legs, allows theapparatus to be positioned advantageously on the printed circuit board;i.e., the removal tool can be positioned over a pin to be removed andthe legs can be positioned to avoid interference with other componentswhich are on the board.

Further, by regulating the depth of the stroke of the removal toolrelative to the height of the base above the board, it can be insuredthat the tool will not damage the board.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational of the apparatus of the invention,partially in section; and

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with otherand further objects, advantages and capabilities thereof, reference ismade to the following disclosure and appended claims taken inconjunction with the above-described drawings.

Referring now to the invention with greater particularity, there isshown in FIG. 1 an apparatus 10 for removing a friction-fitted, axiallyaligned electrical component such as press-fit pin 12 from a printedcircuit board 14.

The apparatus 10 has a base 16 which mounts a component removal tool 18.The tool has a longitudinal axis 19 substantially normal to base 16 andincludes a body 20 containing therein a driver 22, loaded by spring 23,which is mounted for reciprocal movement along the longitudinal axis 19.

Legs 24a and 24b are mounted on the base 16 and extended therefrom toform a first set which is fixed relative to the base 16. The legs 24aand 24b are preferably diametrically opposed to one another.

Legs 26a and 26b are mounted upon a rotatable table 28 which is mountedwith base 16 via an upstanding boss 30 which projects through anaperture 32 in base 16. The legs 26a and 26b are diametrically opposedto one another and form a second set. A "C" ring clamp 34 engages anotch in the boss 30 to maintain the rotatable table in position.Further, in the embodiment shown, the boss 30 has a threaded bore 36which mounts the threaded end 38 of removal tool 18; however, it is isto be understood that other mounting means can be employed.

In operation, the apparatus 10 is positioned over a component 12 to beremoved, with the legs 24a,b and 26a,b, having their feet resting oncircuit board 14. To avoid interference caused by other components onthe board, the fixed legs 24a,b are positioned to rest on the board andthe rotatable legs 26a, b are adjusted, by rotating the table 28, untilthey, too, are able to rest on the board 14 without interfering withother components. With the four legs now resting firmly on the board,and the removal tool 18 longitudinally aligned with a component 12, thedriver 22 is actuated, as by a sharp blow with a mallet, to drivecomponent 12 from the board. By properly ascertaining the depth ofmovement of driver 22 and the height of the legs 24, 26, it can beinsured that the driver 22 does not contact the board 14, thus avoidingdamage thereto.

This apparatus obviates the disadvantages of the prior art and providesa simple and expedient component removal device.

While there have been shown and described what are at present consideredto be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent tothose skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can bemade herein without departing from the scope of the invention as definedby the appended claims.

We claim:
 1. An apparatus for removing a friction-fitted, axiallyaligned electrical component from a printed circuit board, saidapparatus comprising:a base; a component removal tool mounted on saidbase, said tool having a longitudinal axis substantially normal to saidbase and being mounted for reciprocal movement along said longitudinalaxis; a first pair or legs mounted on said base and extending therefrom,said first pair of legs being fixed relative to said base; and a secondpair of legs mounted with said base and extending therefrom, said secondpair of legs being rotatably adjustable relative to said first pair oflegs, both said first and second pair of legs engaging said board duringthe removing of an electrical component therefrom.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the individual legs of said first pair of legs arediametrically opposed to one another.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2wherein the individual legs of said second pair of legs arediametrically opposed to one another.